Filip Hrgovic accuses Moses Itauma of his career being handed to him 'on a plate'
Moses Itauma is 14-0 (12 KOs), 21 years old, and presumed the future of the heavyweight division by, well, practically everyone. The fanfare around the prospect is so loud and convincing, in fact, that world-class contender Filip Hrgovic is regarded as little more than a stepping stone when they clash in a Queensberry-promoted 12-rounder at London's O2 Arena on August 29.
Yet Hrgovic, 20-1 (15 KOs), represents a sizeable jump in class for the youngster. The Croatian, unlike Itauma, can boast experience of doing battle with genuine leading heavyweights. He has beaten Zhilei Zhang. He engaged in a rock 'em, sock 'em affair with Daniel Dubois. He's worthy of his position in the top five. Throw in his victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, his 2016 Olympic bronze medal, his recent thrashing of Dave Allen, and it's easy to understand why the 34-year-old is a little miffed to discover he's a 9-to-2 underdog.
"I know why I have been invited here. I have been invited to lose. I understand. [Promoter] allegedly is not going to make as much money from me [as he stands to make with Itauma]," Hrgovic said at Monday's launch press conference in London.
"My job is to stop him from reaching the promised land, from becoming champion, to be the next star.
"He has all the attributes, he has had the promotion since the beginning of his career. Everyone is predicting that he's the next big star. I am here to stop him. I will prove I am too tough, too experienced and too strong.... A lot of guys write me off... But I am coming for the win."
So, he's seen nothing in Itauma's development to impress him?
"Look, I'm not impressed in the way that the whole world is," Hrgovic continued. "I'm a fighter, I look at different angle. Never seen him in trouble, punched, or get dropped. He definitely has skills and speed but to be a great fighter you must have heart, will, chin and endurance. We haven't seen that yet. Maybe he's got all of that but maybe not... I will test to see if he is the real deal... I will beat this guy and [go on to] become the heavyweight champion of the world."
The hype surrounding Itauma has indeed been like nothing we've seen in the heavyweight division since the days of Mike Tyson's rise in the 1980s. There were whispers of the then-teenager toying with seasoned champions long before he turned professional in 2023. His destructions of Demsey McKean, Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin were breathtaking. But McKean, who has also lost to Hrgovic, was never worthy of the sanctioning body rankings he once received; Whyte was years past his best; and Franklin, though known for his durability, had made his name while losing fights.
"He [Itauma] went from winning Youth World Championships, which I won as well, and then in 14 [professional] fights he is a superstar," Hrgovic explained. "It has all been [laid out] on the table [for him]. He didn't sacrifice like I did, I worked much, much harder to get here. He didn't have the same kind of struggle that I went through. I respect my path much more than his. But we will see how good he is.
"He has been given everything on a plate when you compare his path to my path and others from small countries."
Itauma, who was born in Slovakia before being raised in Kent, England, was unruffled by the criticism pointing out that, though the two fighters are separated by 14 years, they are in the same position: Trying to secure a shot at a world title.
"This is a big test, of course," he said. "Filip Hrgovic ain't no mug. He's achieved so much and beaten so many well known guys. Olympic bronze medal. The beautiful thing about my position is I can strip him away from all of that.
"Every fight promises a bit of danger. Hrgovic has proved he can do certain things and, yes, there's question marks about my career. Whatever questions I didn't answer against Jermaine Franklin, I will answer them here.
"You don't get given respect, you earn it," Itauma continued. "Whether he respects me or not, it won't do him any favors if he doesn't on fight night. He doesn't know me or anything about my life.
"The position I'm in wasn't given to me. It doesn't mean anything, the talking can't do the fighting for him. It's not going to change the outcome."
Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Itauma promises to show Hrgovic why he's heir apparent
Moses Itauma has promised to show Filip Hrgovic exactly why he is seen as the heir to the heavyweight throne when the contenders collide at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
The 12-round fight will be streamed exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
A string of impressive finishes have helped 21-year-old Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) quickly establish himself as the most exciting talent in the heavyweight division but, so far, his reputation has been built against fringe contenders and faded names.
Hrgovic is neither.
At Monday’s launch press conference in London, the 34-year-old Croatian repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Itauma’s rise.
“I respect all my opponents and all fighters but the way I see it, it’s like he went from winning the Youth World Championship - which I won as well - and in like 10 to 14 fights he become like a superstar,” Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) said.
“I feel like he got it all on the table. He didn't sacrifice a lot for where he is now. I think my path was much harder. Much, much harder.
“I worked so hard to get into this position and I feel like everything what he achieved was given. Of course, he’s working hard. He's training every day, but it's not the same kind of struggle what I went through.
“I respect my path much more than his but we'll see on August 29. How good is he? Maybe he's a real deal. Maybe he's not. We’ll see.”
To Itauma’s credit he has always spoken of his need and desire to face the right men at the right time and answer any questions that hang over his head.
He sits at No. 6 in The Ring rankings and at No. 1 with the WBO and WBA and could have waited for his name to be called but he has actively sought out a fight with Hrgovic as he makes a rapid but considered rise through the heavyweight division.
“Whether he thinks my path is going to be easy or not, it don't do me no favors at the end of the day. He's 14 years older than me and we're still in the same position. He don't know nothing about me to comment on that,” Itauma said.
“At the end of the day, the position I'm in wasn't given to me. I still had to beat and overcome challenges. Even if he's not going to respect me or the path, we should soon find out.”
While he may not agree with Hrgovic’s assessment of his own career, Itauma did acknowledge that the fight represents something of an acid test.
“This is a big test. It's my toughest fight,” he admitted. “Filip Hrgovic ain't no mug. I think the beautiful thing about boxing is that Hrgovic has achieved so much in this sport. He's beaten so many well-known guys in not just British boxing but in boxing in general and he's won an Olympic bronze medal.
“I guess the beautiful thing about my position is I can strip him away from all of that. When it comes to the day, I shall be ready.”
Hrgovic won that Olympic bronze medal back in 2016 and is firmly entrenched at No. 5 in The Ring’s heavyweight rankings.
He also carries himself with an unshakeable confidence and will be the first man Itauma has ever faced who will duck between the ropes with full belief that he is going to win.
Whereas other top contenders have distanced themselves from a fight with Itauma, Hrgovic leapt at the chance to take on a fighter he has repeatedly referred to as “a kid."
“I'm not impressed the way the whole whole world is,” he said.
“I’m a fighter. I look at different angles. I never see him in trouble. I never see him get punched or get dropped. He’s definitely got skills and speed but to be to be great fighter you must have heart, will, chin, endurance and we didn't see that yet.
“Maybe he got all of that but maybe not so I definitely think I will test that. I will test if he is the real deal or not. I believe that I will beat this guy and I'll become a heavyweight champion of the world.”
If Itauma struggles with the burden of expectation that has been placed on his shoulders, he hides it well. He refused to rise to Hrgovic’s jibes and answered in his usual thoughtful manner.
As for what will happen on August 29, he promised to meet Hrgovic’s passion and fire with cool, controlled aggression.
“It’s gonna be an interesting fight,” he said calmly. "It’s where youth meets experience and intelligence meets heart.”
Moses Itauma has promised to show Filip Hrgovic exactly why he is seen as the heir to the heavyweight throne when the contenders collide at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
The 12-round fight will be streamed exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
A string of impressive finishes have helped 21-year-old Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) quickly establish himself as the most exciting talent in the heavyweight division but, so far, his reputation has been built against fringe contenders and faded names.
Hrgovic is neither.
At Monday’s launch press conference in London, the 34-year-old Croatian repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of Itauma’s rise.
“I respect all my opponents and all fighters but the way I see it, it’s like he went from winning the Youth World Championship - which I won as well - and in like 10 to 14 fights he become like a superstar,” Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) said.
“I feel like he got it all on the table. He didn't sacrifice a lot for where he is now. I think my path was much harder. Much, much harder.
“I worked so hard to get into this position and I feel like everything what he achieved was given. Of course, he’s working hard. He's training every day, but it's not the same kind of struggle what I went through.
“I respect my path much more than his but we'll see on August 29. How good is he? Maybe he's a real deal. Maybe he's not. We’ll see.”
To Itauma’s credit he has always spoken of his need and desire to face the right men at the right time and answer any questions that hang over his head.
He sits at No. 6 in The Ring rankings and at No. 1 with the WBO and WBA and could have waited for his name to be called but he has actively sought out a fight with Hrgovic as he makes a rapid but considered rise through the heavyweight division.
“Whether he thinks my path is going to be easy or not, it don't do me no favors at the end of the day. He's 14 years older than me and we're still in the same position. He don't know nothing about me to comment on that,” Itauma said.
“At the end of the day, the position I'm in wasn't given to me. I still had to beat and overcome challenges. Even if he's not going to respect me or the path, we should soon find out.”
While he may not agree with Hrgovic’s assessment of his own career, Itauma did acknowledge that the fight represents something of an acid test.
“This is a big test. It's my toughest fight,” he admitted. “Filip Hrgovic ain't no mug. I think the beautiful thing about boxing is that Hrgovic has achieved so much in this sport. He's beaten so many well-known guys in not just British boxing but in boxing in general and he's won an Olympic bronze medal.
“I guess the beautiful thing about my position is I can strip him away from all of that. When it comes to the day, I shall be ready.”
Hrgovic won that Olympic bronze medal back in 2016 and is firmly entrenched at No. 5 in The Ring’s heavyweight rankings.
He also carries himself with an unshakeable confidence and will be the first man Itauma has ever faced who will duck between the ropes with full belief that he is going to win.
Whereas other top contenders have distanced themselves from a fight with Itauma, Hrgovic leapt at the chance to take on a fighter he has repeatedly referred to as “a kid."
“I'm not impressed the way the whole whole world is,” he said.
“I’m a fighter. I look at different angles. I never see him in trouble. I never see him get punched or get dropped. He’s definitely got skills and speed but to be to be great fighter you must have heart, will, chin, endurance and we didn't see that yet.
“Maybe he got all of that but maybe not so I definitely think I will test that. I will test if he is the real deal or not. I believe that I will beat this guy and I'll become a heavyweight champion of the world.”
If Itauma struggles with the burden of expectation that has been placed on his shoulders, he hides it well. He refused to rise to Hrgovic’s jibes and answered in his usual thoughtful manner.
As for what will happen on August 29, he promised to meet Hrgovic’s passion and fire with cool, controlled aggression.
“It’s gonna be an interesting fight,” he said calmly. "It’s where youth meets experience and intelligence meets heart.”
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic believes he can KO Itauma quickly
Filip Hrgovic won’t cut any corners during his preparation for Moses Itauma.
The Ring's No. 5-rated heavyweight will face No. 6-ranked Itauma at O2 Arena in London on August 29, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
On paper, Hrgovic is a slight underdog heading in. However, he believes those odds won't matter once he lands his right hand. If and when he does, even if it's in the first round, he’s convinced the fight will end.
"Of course man, I can knock out a horse," Hrgovic told The Ring when asked if he’s confident about stopping Itauma in the first.
"He starts fast. I don’t start fast, I’m a slow starter but in this fight, I will. I must train to start fast, I want to get into a fight with him, don't want to box too much. I want to get into a fight and see how tough he is."
So far, no one has come close to pushing Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) to his limits. Even when the competition has risen, as it did against Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin, the results have been two highlight-reel knockouts.
When it comes to talent, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) would be a fool to deny what Itauma has in his locker. The 21-year-old is fast, strong, and hits like a truck. With that said, however, he hasn't been faced with the kind of hardships that Hrgovic has.
"I had 10 times a harder path," Hrgovic said.
"I'm not saying that he's not working hard. He's training hard like every athlete in the world twice a day but it's different when you're coming from a small country. Nobody sees a big opportunity to make a lot of money off you. That makes a difference in promotion and managing. When he went from amateurs to professional, everything was on the table for him. He just needed to train and win, he did that and now he's like a superstar in 14 fights."
That superstar status at such a young age is now backfiring, according to the Croatian veteran. Itauma, despite his relative freshness in the professional game, has said previously he's growing tired of the sport.
Those comments have baffled the 34-year-old, who believes they are evidence Itauma isn't made of the right stuff to last at the top.
"It's all about your mentality and your lifestyle," the longtime contender said.
"It's important and gives me belief in myself. That was always my power. My lifestyle, character, discipline, courage, my will ... I had a lot of wins, not just in the ring but outside it. Nothing could stop me, it's not for no reason that I'm here on top of the division."
Filip Hrgovic won’t cut any corners during his preparation for Moses Itauma.
The Ring's No. 5-rated heavyweight will face No. 6-ranked Itauma at O2 Arena in London on August 29, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
On paper, Hrgovic is a slight underdog heading in. However, he believes those odds won't matter once he lands his right hand. If and when he does, even if it's in the first round, he’s convinced the fight will end.
"Of course man, I can knock out a horse," Hrgovic told The Ring when asked if he’s confident about stopping Itauma in the first.
"He starts fast. I don’t start fast, I’m a slow starter but in this fight, I will. I must train to start fast, I want to get into a fight with him, don't want to box too much. I want to get into a fight and see how tough he is."
So far, no one has come close to pushing Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) to his limits. Even when the competition has risen, as it did against Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin, the results have been two highlight-reel knockouts.
When it comes to talent, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) would be a fool to deny what Itauma has in his locker. The 21-year-old is fast, strong, and hits like a truck. With that said, however, he hasn't been faced with the kind of hardships that Hrgovic has.
"I had 10 times a harder path," Hrgovic said.
"I'm not saying that he's not working hard. He's training hard like every athlete in the world twice a day but it's different when you're coming from a small country. Nobody sees a big opportunity to make a lot of money off you. That makes a difference in promotion and managing. When he went from amateurs to professional, everything was on the table for him. He just needed to train and win, he did that and now he's like a superstar in 14 fights."
That superstar status at such a young age is now backfiring, according to the Croatian veteran. Itauma, despite his relative freshness in the professional game, has said previously he's growing tired of the sport.
Those comments have baffled the 34-year-old, who believes they are evidence Itauma isn't made of the right stuff to last at the top.
"It's all about your mentality and your lifestyle," the longtime contender said.
"It's important and gives me belief in myself. That was always my power. My lifestyle, character, discipline, courage, my will ... I had a lot of wins, not just in the ring but outside it. Nothing could stop me, it's not for no reason that I'm here on top of the division."
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Itauma-Hrgovic 'has all the ingredients' to be special, says Warren
With The Ring's heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, nearing the end of his incredible career and Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder all plotting routes to the finishing line, Moses Itauma is widely regarded as the glamour division's next star.
So far, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) has looked every inch the future champion but on August 29, the 21-year-old from Kent will face the sternest examination yet of his credentials when he takes on the experienced, dangerous and extremely confident Filip Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs).
Itauma and his team initially targeted a fight with the 34-year-old Croatian late last year and he made point of calling Hrgovic’s name after his impressive fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March.
The Ring’s No. 6-ranked heavyweight now gets his wish. The two will meet at London’s O2 Arena in a fight that will go a long way to setting the future course of the heavyweight division.
Frank~Warren promotes both fighters and he knows just how big a task Itauma faces.
“Well, it's a big step up for him. He's still 21 and he's going in with a guy that a lot of people have avoided over the years, Hrgovic, who's a tough guy,” Warren said during DAZN’s broadcast of Ryan Garner’s victory over Michael Magnesi on Saturday.
“He can punch. He's never been knocked out and this is going to be a telling moment for him.”
Much of the build-up will focus on how Itauma handles the toughest test of his still young career but Hrgovic himself was once touted as the future of the heavyweight division.
After claiming a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, it was assumed that he would quickly work his way up the heavyweight rankings and compete with the likes of Joshua, Fury and Wilder.
Hrgovic, ranked at No. 5 by The Ring, has shown flashes of his undoubted ability over the past decade but he has also flattered to deceive.
He has reeled off three consecutive wins since cuts brought an early end to a June 2024 fight with Daniel Dubois and while Hrgovic isn’t the type of character to lose faith in his own ability, there is a definite feeling that he goes into a fight with Itauma with a renewed sense of momentum.
While others have edged quietly away from the challenge of facing the young prodigy, Hrgovic ran towards it.
“It's a fight that I'm looking forward to because I think it will be a really good quality fight,” Warren said.
“He fancies it, Hrgovic, and you've got to take your hat off to him. He's putting it all on the line against the young star of today and maybe the biggest star tomorrow.
“This is a tough, tough fight for both of them and there's a lot on the line and, for me, that has all the ingredients to make is something extra, extra special and exciting.”
With The Ring's heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, nearing the end of his incredible career and Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder all plotting routes to the finishing line, Moses Itauma is widely regarded as the glamour division's next star.
So far, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) has looked every inch the future champion but on August 29, the 21-year-old from Kent will face the sternest examination yet of his credentials when he takes on the experienced, dangerous and extremely confident Filip Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs).
Itauma and his team initially targeted a fight with the 34-year-old Croatian late last year and he made point of calling Hrgovic’s name after his impressive fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March.
The Ring’s No. 6-ranked heavyweight now gets his wish. The two will meet at London’s O2 Arena in a fight that will go a long way to setting the future course of the heavyweight division.
Frank~Warren promotes both fighters and he knows just how big a task Itauma faces.
“Well, it's a big step up for him. He's still 21 and he's going in with a guy that a lot of people have avoided over the years, Hrgovic, who's a tough guy,” Warren said during DAZN’s broadcast of Ryan Garner’s victory over Michael Magnesi on Saturday.
“He can punch. He's never been knocked out and this is going to be a telling moment for him.”
Much of the build-up will focus on how Itauma handles the toughest test of his still young career but Hrgovic himself was once touted as the future of the heavyweight division.
After claiming a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, it was assumed that he would quickly work his way up the heavyweight rankings and compete with the likes of Joshua, Fury and Wilder.
Hrgovic, ranked at No. 5 by The Ring, has shown flashes of his undoubted ability over the past decade but he has also flattered to deceive.
He has reeled off three consecutive wins since cuts brought an early end to a June 2024 fight with Daniel Dubois and while Hrgovic isn’t the type of character to lose faith in his own ability, there is a definite feeling that he goes into a fight with Itauma with a renewed sense of momentum.
While others have edged quietly away from the challenge of facing the young prodigy, Hrgovic ran towards it.
“It's a fight that I'm looking forward to because I think it will be a really good quality fight,” Warren said.
“He fancies it, Hrgovic, and you've got to take your hat off to him. He's putting it all on the line against the young star of today and maybe the biggest star tomorrow.
“This is a tough, tough fight for both of them and there's a lot on the line and, for me, that has all the ingredients to make is something extra, extra special and exciting.”
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic fires at 'new school' Itauma, says he 'probably kisses trees'
Filip Hrgovic, a native of Croatia’s capital Zagreb, may be completely fluent in English but there is one phrase that he is not familiar with.
During a roundtable interview with reporters in a hotel a few minutes away from O2 Arena on Monday afternoon, the 34-year-old discussed, in detail, why his and Moses Itauma’s path to their August 29 clash cannot be compared.
“I feel like he has got everything on a plate,” Hrgovic says. “But nobody ever gave me anything.
“If you come from Great Britain, you get everything on the plate so I'm not impressed. I'm impressed with my path more than his because you need a lot of toughness to endure what I endure.”
It is put to Hrgovic, therefore, that he might just have a chip on his shoulder.
“What? I don’t understand this,” he says. But once the meaning of the phrase is explained, he understands completely.
“Yes. I do believe this,” he says. “I just believe that everything you want to achieve must be hard. I only know the hard way, not the easy way. All I know is fighting.
“But Moses? I just saw him. He had like two litres of water. Probably a nutritionist told him to drink it. Blah blah blah, he’s like a new school, modern fighter. He’s lifting weights, drinking water, probably in the morning he went out and said hello to the sun.
“He probably breathed in and out 10 times, drunk his water, took a cold shower and then went and kissed a tree.
“He’s … bullshit. And I’m the real deal.”
Itauma has been tipped for superstardom ever since his days as an amateur, when he tore through the ranks at youth level and also impressed during spars with established pros such as Lawrence Okolie.
“I was youth world champion and no one cared,” he said. “But Itauma, youth world champion, boom; Queensbury contract, building him, making him into a big star in 14 fights.
“You get a great coach, good manager, good promoter. You have everything. So why would I be impressed with Moses Itauma when I have had a 10 times the harder path? I'm not impressed.”
Even so, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) is under no illusions about the test that awaits him. Since turning pro, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) has moved quickly and has ended his last five fights inside the distance.
So Hrgovic will be cutting no corners in his old-school training camp under Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California.
“It will be a lot of pain,” he says. “A lot of sacrifice for this camp. I'll have a 10-week camp.
“It's at altitude and Abel Sanchez is a real old school guy. I think he's really brutal, he doesn't believe in this modern bullshit recovery. Physiotherapy, vitamins, you must drink water, you must do this, you must do yoga … He's just old school. Just hard work and a lot of pain in his camps.
“There is a lot of isolation. Just a lot of hard work. Working with Abel Sanchez has reminded me about the simplicity of boxing. Work hard and shut the f--k up. Don't be smart.
“If you were smart, you would be a lawyer, or you would be a journalist, or you would be a doctor or a manager. You're not smart, you're here to work, you’re here to kill this guy. Run every day. Wake up at 6 a.m., don't drink vitamins and that's it. Simplicity.
“In one way it's simple but actually in another way it's not so simple. Because it takes you to the point where you need to speak with yourself.
“When you go through all that pain. And then there is where the win happens. It’s within yourself because you really meet yourself and that’s the point of a hard training camp.
“I will have a lot of sacrifice in this camp and it will show on August 29. At least I will be in great shape.”
Filip Hrgovic, a native of Croatia’s capital Zagreb, may be completely fluent in English but there is one phrase that he is not familiar with.
During a roundtable interview with reporters in a hotel a few minutes away from O2 Arena on Monday afternoon, the 34-year-old discussed, in detail, why his and Moses Itauma’s path to their August 29 clash cannot be compared.
“I feel like he has got everything on a plate,” Hrgovic says. “But nobody ever gave me anything.
“If you come from Great Britain, you get everything on the plate so I'm not impressed. I'm impressed with my path more than his because you need a lot of toughness to endure what I endure.”
It is put to Hrgovic, therefore, that he might just have a chip on his shoulder.
“What? I don’t understand this,” he says. But once the meaning of the phrase is explained, he understands completely.
“Yes. I do believe this,” he says. “I just believe that everything you want to achieve must be hard. I only know the hard way, not the easy way. All I know is fighting.
“But Moses? I just saw him. He had like two litres of water. Probably a nutritionist told him to drink it. Blah blah blah, he’s like a new school, modern fighter. He’s lifting weights, drinking water, probably in the morning he went out and said hello to the sun.
“He probably breathed in and out 10 times, drunk his water, took a cold shower and then went and kissed a tree.
“He’s … bullshit. And I’m the real deal.”
Itauma has been tipped for superstardom ever since his days as an amateur, when he tore through the ranks at youth level and also impressed during spars with established pros such as Lawrence Okolie.
“I was youth world champion and no one cared,” he said. “But Itauma, youth world champion, boom; Queensbury contract, building him, making him into a big star in 14 fights.
“You get a great coach, good manager, good promoter. You have everything. So why would I be impressed with Moses Itauma when I have had a 10 times the harder path? I'm not impressed.”
Even so, Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs) is under no illusions about the test that awaits him. Since turning pro, Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) has moved quickly and has ended his last five fights inside the distance.
So Hrgovic will be cutting no corners in his old-school training camp under Abel Sanchez in Big Bear, California.
“It will be a lot of pain,” he says. “A lot of sacrifice for this camp. I'll have a 10-week camp.
“It's at altitude and Abel Sanchez is a real old school guy. I think he's really brutal, he doesn't believe in this modern bullshit recovery. Physiotherapy, vitamins, you must drink water, you must do this, you must do yoga … He's just old school. Just hard work and a lot of pain in his camps.
“There is a lot of isolation. Just a lot of hard work. Working with Abel Sanchez has reminded me about the simplicity of boxing. Work hard and shut the f--k up. Don't be smart.
“If you were smart, you would be a lawyer, or you would be a journalist, or you would be a doctor or a manager. You're not smart, you're here to work, you’re here to kill this guy. Run every day. Wake up at 6 a.m., don't drink vitamins and that's it. Simplicity.
“In one way it's simple but actually in another way it's not so simple. Because it takes you to the point where you need to speak with yourself.
“When you go through all that pain. And then there is where the win happens. It’s within yourself because you really meet yourself and that’s the point of a hard training camp.
“I will have a lot of sacrifice in this camp and it will show on August 29. At least I will be in great shape.”
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Grilling Machine
- Heavyweight
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
I'd fancy Hrg to win one with a rematch clause.
Most fans probably disagree with his take on going in hot (supposing he really can break the habit of a career), but he's a tough man with a good chin and Itauma hasn't been tested under that kind of pressure. The conventional plan of letting Itauma win the early rounds on account of his suss stamina could easily be undone if he holes up with a 5-point lead. Just because he hasn't shown negativity doesn't mean he's not smart enough to employ it.
So if Hrg gets it wrong but had a rematch, I think he'd have a good chance of correcting himself. As it stands I expect Itauma to force a home stoppage with superior handspeed and combos, with Hrg in no-man's land between the above approaches. Anyone capable of stretching Itauma to tiredness is gonna have to finish him to beat the money.
Also, more of this guy! "Probably in the morning he went out and said hello to the sun."
Most fans probably disagree with his take on going in hot (supposing he really can break the habit of a career), but he's a tough man with a good chin and Itauma hasn't been tested under that kind of pressure. The conventional plan of letting Itauma win the early rounds on account of his suss stamina could easily be undone if he holes up with a 5-point lead. Just because he hasn't shown negativity doesn't mean he's not smart enough to employ it.
So if Hrg gets it wrong but had a rematch, I think he'd have a good chance of correcting himself. As it stands I expect Itauma to force a home stoppage with superior handspeed and combos, with Hrg in no-man's land between the above approaches. Anyone capable of stretching Itauma to tiredness is gonna have to finish him to beat the money.
Also, more of this guy! "Probably in the morning he went out and said hello to the sun."
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Filip Hrgovic explains his problem with Moses Itauma
While the boxing world might be enamoured with the potential of young heavyweight star Moses Itauma, his next opponent, Filip Hrgovic, has been far less complimentary.
They will fight on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena in a bout that represents a significant step up for the 21-year-old 14-0 (12 KOs) Itauma.
Hrgovic is 20-1 (15 KOs) but he’s a former Olympic medallist who’s been boxing at world level for years.
“He’s done well,” Hrgovic said of his burgeoning foe.
“But I’m not so impressed because, for example, I was also a youth world champion like him. Then I went to WSB [World Series of Boxing], to elite level. No one cared. I feel like he got everything on the plate. Youth world champion, boom. Queensberry contract, building him, making him in 14 fights into a big star.
“I think when you’re a Great Britain fighter, it's much easier. You have everything. You got a great coach, good manager, good promoter. You have everything. I was youth world champion. No one cared.
“I think it’s a big difference if you come from a small country. If you come from Great Britain, you got everything on the plate. So I’m not impressed. I’m impressed with my path more than him because you need a lot of toughness to endure what I endure. And to go this way alone, without brother, without father, without anyone in family. I need to do everything by myself.
“Without any knowledge about boxing in your country [Croatia], without any tradition. You can’t ask anyone anything about business, about sport. There’s not a lot of general knowledge of boxing. So I needed to do everything by myself. And I’m more impressed with my way than his.
"For example, I was 19 years old [when] I boxed in London seven rounds, the final of WSB league with a hard guy. That guy is probably better than [Jermaine] Franklin, than [Dillian] Whyte [Itauma’s last two opponents]. I boxed WSB 30 fights with killers, with Cubans, with Russians, with world champions, Olympic champions. No one cared.
“So why would I be impressed with Moses Itauma when I have 10 times harder path? And, you know, I’m not impressed, man. I’m not impressed with him.”
While the boxing world might be enamoured with the potential of young heavyweight star Moses Itauma, his next opponent, Filip Hrgovic, has been far less complimentary.
They will fight on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena in a bout that represents a significant step up for the 21-year-old 14-0 (12 KOs) Itauma.
Hrgovic is 20-1 (15 KOs) but he’s a former Olympic medallist who’s been boxing at world level for years.
“He’s done well,” Hrgovic said of his burgeoning foe.
“But I’m not so impressed because, for example, I was also a youth world champion like him. Then I went to WSB [World Series of Boxing], to elite level. No one cared. I feel like he got everything on the plate. Youth world champion, boom. Queensberry contract, building him, making him in 14 fights into a big star.
“I think when you’re a Great Britain fighter, it's much easier. You have everything. You got a great coach, good manager, good promoter. You have everything. I was youth world champion. No one cared.
“I think it’s a big difference if you come from a small country. If you come from Great Britain, you got everything on the plate. So I’m not impressed. I’m impressed with my path more than him because you need a lot of toughness to endure what I endure. And to go this way alone, without brother, without father, without anyone in family. I need to do everything by myself.
“Without any knowledge about boxing in your country [Croatia], without any tradition. You can’t ask anyone anything about business, about sport. There’s not a lot of general knowledge of boxing. So I needed to do everything by myself. And I’m more impressed with my way than his.
"For example, I was 19 years old [when] I boxed in London seven rounds, the final of WSB league with a hard guy. That guy is probably better than [Jermaine] Franklin, than [Dillian] Whyte [Itauma’s last two opponents]. I boxed WSB 30 fights with killers, with Cubans, with Russians, with world champions, Olympic champions. No one cared.
“So why would I be impressed with Moses Itauma when I have 10 times harder path? And, you know, I’m not impressed, man. I’m not impressed with him.”
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gregregegg
- Lightweight
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Does this have any chance of getting the ibf belt on the line?
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
If they're both currently in the Top 3 of the IBF's rankings then yes I'd say there's a very good chance of that.gregregegg wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 19:17 Does this have any chance of getting the ibf belt on the line?
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gregregegg
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
It’s 1 Frank, 2 vacant, 3 Moses, 4 hrg…gilgamesh wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 20:20If they're both currently in the Top 3 of the IBF's rankings then yes I'd say there's a very good chance of that.gregregegg wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 19:17 Does this have any chance of getting the ibf belt on the line?
So I consider them top 3 but I guess in ibfs mind they are not…
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Frank who?gregregegg wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 20:52It’s 1 Frank, 2 vacant, 3 Moses, 4 hrg…gilgamesh wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 20:20If they're both currently in the Top 3 of the IBF's rankings then yes I'd say there's a very good chance of that.gregregegg wrote: ↑28 Jun 2026, 19:17 Does this have any chance of getting the ibf belt on the line?
So I consider them top 3 but I guess in ibfs mind they are not…
EDIT: Nevermind. I'm assuming it must be Frank Sanchez.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Frank Sanchez hopes to face Moses Itauma-Filip Hrgovic winner for IBF title
Frank Sanchez, the leading IBF heavyweight contender, will watch the August 29 battle between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic with interest.
Oleksandr Usyk last week relinquished the IBF title, as well as his WBC and WBA straps, to focus on a 'last dance'. The WBC has since elevated interim beltholder Agit Kabayel to full champion and the WBA will now reportedly recognize Murat Gassiev, the 'regular' titlist, as their main man in the banner division. The situation with the IBF, however, isn't so clear.
Sanchez, who sits at No. 1 with the IBF, needs an opponent to challenge for the vacant title with the No. 2 position currently vacant. Itauma is third and Hrgovic is fourth.
Itauma, promoted by Queensberry, had previously been ordered to face Sanchez in an eliminator but the opportunity was turned down by the Englishman's team. The reason, Boxing Scene were informed, was due to Usyk then holding three belts and the IBF being last in the pecking order to enforce a mandatory. With Usyk now set to go his own way, that situation no longer applies.
"My expectation is that Moses Itauma could possibly be Frank Sanchez's opponent in the near future, but we will have to wait and see who he ultimately fights next for the vacant title," Sanchez's manager, Mike Borao, told Sky Sports.
Cuba's Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs), faced Richard Torrez Jnr instead after Itauma passed on the chance, spectacularly stopping the American in two rounds. His only loss came in 2024 when he was stopped in seven rounds by Kabayel.
"I was surprised when Moses initially turned down the final eliminator against Frank Recently," Borao continued.
"Moses is an incredible talent with a massive upside. I myself am a fan of Moses but a fight with Frank is probably a bit too soon, since he is young and there are other paths to a title for him."
Itauma, 14-0 (12 KOs), blasted out the durable Jermaine Franklin in March and is now the leading contender with the WBA and WBO. Daniel Dubois, also promoted by Queensberry, is the WBO champion and has been mentioned as a potential next opponent for Itauma if he gets past Hrgovic.
"Frank Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion in 2026, no matter who he boxes for the vacant title," Borao said. "In the end, it doesn't matter who Frank boxes because, as I have always said, a healthy Frank Sanchez with [coach] Eddy Reynoso and Canelo [Alvarez] in his corner beats anyone.
"Frank's single loss resulted from an injury. A healthy Sanchez would have beaten Agit Kabayel in my opinion. Boxing fans saw the devastation Frank Sanchez is capable of against Richard Torrez."
Frank Sanchez, the leading IBF heavyweight contender, will watch the August 29 battle between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic with interest.
Oleksandr Usyk last week relinquished the IBF title, as well as his WBC and WBA straps, to focus on a 'last dance'. The WBC has since elevated interim beltholder Agit Kabayel to full champion and the WBA will now reportedly recognize Murat Gassiev, the 'regular' titlist, as their main man in the banner division. The situation with the IBF, however, isn't so clear.
Sanchez, who sits at No. 1 with the IBF, needs an opponent to challenge for the vacant title with the No. 2 position currently vacant. Itauma is third and Hrgovic is fourth.
Itauma, promoted by Queensberry, had previously been ordered to face Sanchez in an eliminator but the opportunity was turned down by the Englishman's team. The reason, Boxing Scene were informed, was due to Usyk then holding three belts and the IBF being last in the pecking order to enforce a mandatory. With Usyk now set to go his own way, that situation no longer applies.
"My expectation is that Moses Itauma could possibly be Frank Sanchez's opponent in the near future, but we will have to wait and see who he ultimately fights next for the vacant title," Sanchez's manager, Mike Borao, told Sky Sports.
Cuba's Sanchez, 26-1 (19 KOs), faced Richard Torrez Jnr instead after Itauma passed on the chance, spectacularly stopping the American in two rounds. His only loss came in 2024 when he was stopped in seven rounds by Kabayel.
"I was surprised when Moses initially turned down the final eliminator against Frank Recently," Borao continued.
"Moses is an incredible talent with a massive upside. I myself am a fan of Moses but a fight with Frank is probably a bit too soon, since he is young and there are other paths to a title for him."
Itauma, 14-0 (12 KOs), blasted out the durable Jermaine Franklin in March and is now the leading contender with the WBA and WBO. Daniel Dubois, also promoted by Queensberry, is the WBO champion and has been mentioned as a potential next opponent for Itauma if he gets past Hrgovic.
"Frank Sanchez will become the first Cuban heavyweight champion in 2026, no matter who he boxes for the vacant title," Borao said. "In the end, it doesn't matter who Frank boxes because, as I have always said, a healthy Frank Sanchez with [coach] Eddy Reynoso and Canelo [Alvarez] in his corner beats anyone.
"Frank's single loss resulted from an injury. A healthy Sanchez would have beaten Agit Kabayel in my opinion. Boxing fans saw the devastation Frank Sanchez is capable of against Richard Torrez."
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic targets Dubois rematch with Itauma win
Filip Hrgovic is scheduled to face his fifth Brit in a row when he takes on Moses Itauma at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
But while he is currently on a three-fight winning streak, with victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, the run actually started with a defeat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia against Daniel Dubois. That night in June 2024, Hrgovic suffered the first loss of his professional career when he was stopped on cuts by Daniel Dubois in the eighth round of a hellacious battle at Kingdom Arena.
But what was perhaps most startling about the fight was the quality of Dubois’ chin, given that Hrgovic hit him clean right hands time and time again but just couldn’t budge the Londoner. “Fighting Daniel Dubois felt like sitting on a boat and throwing rocks into the sea,” Hrgovic told reporters this week. "I just couldn't miss I hit him with so many punches but I didn’t feel good.” The Croatian says his preparation for that clash was rocked by illness a week before the fight, which nearly forced him to pull out altogether. “I swear, one week before the fight I was in my bed,” he says. “I even requested to change my flights for a few days later because I couldn’t move. But I was told I had to fly because they were already booked. “I was sick but recovered a little during fight week. I was drinking like 10 medications every day just to get a little bit of energy. I didn't feel good and after six rounds, I was dead. Not because of his punches, but I was just without conditioning. Also, I had two huge cuts.”
Until that night, Hrgovic had been marching steadily towards a shot at the full world title and, one off-color performance against Zhilei Zhang in 2022 aside, had looked like the sort of potential champion people had been describing him as for the first five years of his career. But the Dubois loss, he admits, was difficult to cope with. He said: "I got over it but it was hard for me. I needed like one year to recover. It was a big shock for me. “I didn't box well because of the different circumstances. I was injured and ill and I was just not focused. I underestimated him and I wasn't just boxing well plus I was cut in round one. Whatever bad that could happen, happened: injury, illness, distractions. So yeah, I would like to have a rematch with him.” Before any hope of a second crack at Dubois, who is now the WBO world heavyweight champion following his victory over Fabio Wardley in May, Hrgovic will have to beat Itauma, the man many have tipped to become the next dominant force at heavyweight. “It’s in the contract that if I beat Moses, I’ll challenge the WBO champion,” Hrgovic says of his multi-fight deal with Queensberry Promotions. “But now it's a big test in front of me so I must take care of Itauma. Stylistically, it's a harder fight [than Dubois] because he's quicker and southpaw. “Dubois has much more achievements, he's a two-time world champion. But stylistically, Itauma is a trickier fighter. “But now, I'm sorry, but I will need to beat your guy. Your next big hope who everybody thinks is the next big thing.”
Filip Hrgovic is scheduled to face his fifth Brit in a row when he takes on Moses Itauma at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
But while he is currently on a three-fight winning streak, with victories over Joe Joyce, David Adeleye and Dave Allen, the run actually started with a defeat in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia against Daniel Dubois. That night in June 2024, Hrgovic suffered the first loss of his professional career when he was stopped on cuts by Daniel Dubois in the eighth round of a hellacious battle at Kingdom Arena.
But what was perhaps most startling about the fight was the quality of Dubois’ chin, given that Hrgovic hit him clean right hands time and time again but just couldn’t budge the Londoner. “Fighting Daniel Dubois felt like sitting on a boat and throwing rocks into the sea,” Hrgovic told reporters this week. "I just couldn't miss I hit him with so many punches but I didn’t feel good.” The Croatian says his preparation for that clash was rocked by illness a week before the fight, which nearly forced him to pull out altogether. “I swear, one week before the fight I was in my bed,” he says. “I even requested to change my flights for a few days later because I couldn’t move. But I was told I had to fly because they were already booked. “I was sick but recovered a little during fight week. I was drinking like 10 medications every day just to get a little bit of energy. I didn't feel good and after six rounds, I was dead. Not because of his punches, but I was just without conditioning. Also, I had two huge cuts.”
Until that night, Hrgovic had been marching steadily towards a shot at the full world title and, one off-color performance against Zhilei Zhang in 2022 aside, had looked like the sort of potential champion people had been describing him as for the first five years of his career. But the Dubois loss, he admits, was difficult to cope with. He said: "I got over it but it was hard for me. I needed like one year to recover. It was a big shock for me. “I didn't box well because of the different circumstances. I was injured and ill and I was just not focused. I underestimated him and I wasn't just boxing well plus I was cut in round one. Whatever bad that could happen, happened: injury, illness, distractions. So yeah, I would like to have a rematch with him.” Before any hope of a second crack at Dubois, who is now the WBO world heavyweight champion following his victory over Fabio Wardley in May, Hrgovic will have to beat Itauma, the man many have tipped to become the next dominant force at heavyweight. “It’s in the contract that if I beat Moses, I’ll challenge the WBO champion,” Hrgovic says of his multi-fight deal with Queensberry Promotions. “But now it's a big test in front of me so I must take care of Itauma. Stylistically, it's a harder fight [than Dubois] because he's quicker and southpaw. “Dubois has much more achievements, he's a two-time world champion. But stylistically, Itauma is a trickier fighter. “But now, I'm sorry, but I will need to beat your guy. Your next big hope who everybody thinks is the next big thing.”
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Any news on the undercard ?
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
I gut stuck into the shandies last night watching the footie and, after umming and ahrring about it for a bit, talked a mate into coming with me and bought some reasonable lower-tier tickets. The 02's a nice enough venue and very easy to get to and home from for me.
There are LOADS of seats available still which makes me hopeful that we'll get at least one solid undercard fight (a heavyweight fight would be good chief support.) It would be nice to see Richard Riakporhe defending his British against someone like David Adeleye or Solomon Dacres or Jordan Thompson.... Some lower end British talent level guys that he should look like a wrecking machine against to build his profile.
Is Cheavon Clarke fully signed to Zuffa now or is he a free agent? It would be good to see him or the card hopefully riding a bit of resurgence wave after his all action win on against Jack Massey. Especially with him and Moses only being a couple of towns over from each other in Kent. What about against this Aloys Youmbi lad?
Queensbury's pockets are nowhere near as deep as the Saudis, and I can see they've had to pay Hrgovic well to get him. I'm not expecting the moon on a stick: just some solid Domestic level dust-ups would be nice
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
I'm still waiting on free tickets for this one.Cyclops wrote: ↑04 Jul 2026, 19:56I gut stuck into the shandies last night watching the footie and, after umming and ahrring about it for a bit, talked a mate into coming with me and bought some reasonable lower-tier tickets. The 02's a nice enough venue and very easy to get to and home from for me.
There are LOADS of seats available still which makes me hopeful that we'll get at least one solid undercard fight (a heavyweight fight would be good chief support.) It would be nice to see Richard Riakporhe defending his British against someone like David Adeleye or Solomon Dacres or Jordan Thompson.... Some lower end British talent level guys that he should look like a wrecking machine against to build his profile.
Is Cheavon Clarke fully signed to Zuffa now or is he a free agent? It would be good to see him or the card hopefully riding a bit of resurgence wave after his all action win on against Jack Massey. Especially with him and Moses only being a couple of towns over from each other in Kent. What about against this Aloys Youmbi lad?
Queensbury's pockets are nowhere near as deep as the Saudis, and I can see they've had to pay Hrgovic well to get him. I'm not expecting the moon on a stick: just some solid Domestic level dust-ups would be nice
I've got a few fights booked so cannot justify a trip to London from North Yorkshire. If free tickets become available I'll get some and the grandson and myself will drive down and sleep in the back of the car before heading home. That's the plan anyway.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Hrgovic has opened at 5/1.
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tiny_acres
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SeanBrennan
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
I don’t think there is any risk here for Moses it’s another early stoppage for him against an older fighter who cuts easily and who won’t move much.
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gregregegg
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
That is an outragouse assessment... to be clear I think Moses wins. But.... hrg is a massive step up. He is big, hits harder than anyone Moses has been in with, has a great chin (although i feel its due to go soon with how much he uses it), and can (could) box a bit before he fell in love with his clubbing right hand...SeanBrennan wrote: ↑05 Jul 2026, 15:18 I don’t think there is any risk here for Moses it’s another early stoppage for him against an older fighter who cuts easily and who won’t move much.
Everyone Moses has beat hrg has or would beat.
And Moses hasn't really been hit yet. Those first 5 or so rounds vs DDD hrg was finding bombs... now Moses is probably harder to hit than DDD but does he have the chin?
No risk is simply an insane assessment. And aging? 34 isn't young. But it's not too old at heavyweight.
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SeanBrennan
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
You’re very welcome to your point but I don’t feel it’s outrageous. That’s a great word though, I’ve never been called that before, I’ll take that. I’m so boring im taking it as a compliment.gregregegg wrote: ↑06 Jul 2026, 19:07That is an outragouse assessment... to be clear I think Moses wins. But.... hrg is a massive step up. He is big, hits harder than anyone Moses has been in with, has a great chin (although i feel its due to go soon with how much he uses it), and can (could) box a bit before he fell in love with his clubbing right hand...SeanBrennan wrote: ↑05 Jul 2026, 15:18 I don’t think there is any risk here for Moses it’s another early stoppage for him against an older fighter who cuts easily and who won’t move much.
Everyone Moses has beat hrg has or would beat.
And Moses hasn't really been hit yet. Those first 5 or so rounds vs DDD hrg was finding bombs... now Moses is probably harder to hit than DDD but does he have the chin?
No risk is simply an insane assessment. And aging? 34 isn't young. But it's not too old at heavyweight.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Sam Noakes-Denys Berinchyk likely for Moses Itauma-Filip Hrgovic undercard
Sam Noakes is set to return to big-fight action as the co-main event at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
The bill is headlined by the heavyweight fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic and the front-runner to face the heavy-handed 18-1 (16 KOs) Kent lightweight is Ukraine veteran Denys Berinchyk.
Noakes, 28, last boxed in a rust-shedding exercise in May when he fought on a Top Tier promotion at York Hall, Bethnal Green, in London’s East End, stopping the 17-19-2 Mexican Benito Sanchez Garcia in two rounds.
Before that, in November, Noakes shared a Fight of the Year contender with Abdullah Mason in Saudi Arabia, losing on the cards by 117-111 and twice by 115-113.
Berinchyk turned pro in 2015 and was the former WBO champion, having defeated Emanuel Navarrete for the vacant title before losing it in his first defense to Keyshawn Davis.
Berinchyk, 38, is 19-1 (9 KOs) and boxed in the UK in 2022 when defeating Yvan Mendy on points in London in 2022. His last fight was against Davis, in February 2025.
There is speculation that a Noakes win could lead him to a fight against Welshman Joe Cordina who was recently ruled out of a shot at Mason due to US visa issues.
Sam Noakes is set to return to big-fight action as the co-main event at London’s O2 Arena on August 29.
The bill is headlined by the heavyweight fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic and the front-runner to face the heavy-handed 18-1 (16 KOs) Kent lightweight is Ukraine veteran Denys Berinchyk.
Noakes, 28, last boxed in a rust-shedding exercise in May when he fought on a Top Tier promotion at York Hall, Bethnal Green, in London’s East End, stopping the 17-19-2 Mexican Benito Sanchez Garcia in two rounds.
Before that, in November, Noakes shared a Fight of the Year contender with Abdullah Mason in Saudi Arabia, losing on the cards by 117-111 and twice by 115-113.
Berinchyk turned pro in 2015 and was the former WBO champion, having defeated Emanuel Navarrete for the vacant title before losing it in his first defense to Keyshawn Davis.
Berinchyk, 38, is 19-1 (9 KOs) and boxed in the UK in 2022 when defeating Yvan Mendy on points in London in 2022. His last fight was against Davis, in February 2025.
There is speculation that a Noakes win could lead him to a fight against Welshman Joe Cordina who was recently ruled out of a shot at Mason due to US visa issues.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Gonzalez-Smith in the works for a spot on Itauma undercard next month
A clash between undefeated Cuban puncher Dayan Gonzalez and London’s Mitchell Smith is in the works for August.
Gonzalez (18-0, 16 KOs) has not boxed since he stopped Rhonex Capuloy in the fourth round of their clash at Bangkok’s World Siam Stadium in September.
But he looks set to get his first fight of the year next month and The Ring understands he could face Smith on the undercard of the event topped by Moses Itauma’s showdown with Filip Hrgovic on August 29.
Gonzalez is No. 14 in the WBO’s featherweight rankings while Smith sits in the same spot with the organisation at lightweight. But the pair will bridge the gap for a firefight at London’s 02 Arena.
It has been a long road back to big time boxing for Smith, who had ballooned up to double his fighting weight after a stint away from the sport, which included two prison sentences.
He made a triumphant return in October under his old promoter allegedly, dropping Arnie Dawson en route to a decision victory at 02 Arena. However, that result was changed to a no contest after he tested positive for THC in a UKAD test.
Smith admitted he had used THC oil and CBD balm but had stopped eight days before the fight, which he had taken at short notice. He received a three-month ban which ran from December 13 until March 12.
And now he has the chance to secure the most significant victory of his career to date against Havana-born Gonzalez, who is now based in Dubai.
But the 27-year-old will arrive in London full of confidence having won his last 11 fights inside the distance.
A clash between undefeated Cuban puncher Dayan Gonzalez and London’s Mitchell Smith is in the works for August.
Gonzalez (18-0, 16 KOs) has not boxed since he stopped Rhonex Capuloy in the fourth round of their clash at Bangkok’s World Siam Stadium in September.
But he looks set to get his first fight of the year next month and The Ring understands he could face Smith on the undercard of the event topped by Moses Itauma’s showdown with Filip Hrgovic on August 29.
Gonzalez is No. 14 in the WBO’s featherweight rankings while Smith sits in the same spot with the organisation at lightweight. But the pair will bridge the gap for a firefight at London’s 02 Arena.
It has been a long road back to big time boxing for Smith, who had ballooned up to double his fighting weight after a stint away from the sport, which included two prison sentences.
He made a triumphant return in October under his old promoter allegedly, dropping Arnie Dawson en route to a decision victory at 02 Arena. However, that result was changed to a no contest after he tested positive for THC in a UKAD test.
Smith admitted he had used THC oil and CBD balm but had stopped eight days before the fight, which he had taken at short notice. He received a three-month ban which ran from December 13 until March 12.
And now he has the chance to secure the most significant victory of his career to date against Havana-born Gonzalez, who is now based in Dubai.
But the 27-year-old will arrive in London full of confidence having won his last 11 fights inside the distance.
Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
Moses will be too fast, dipping, coils up and then firing fast shots.SeanBrennan wrote: ↑05 Jul 2026, 15:18 I don’t think there is any risk here for Moses it’s another early stoppage for him against an older fighter who cuts easily and who won’t move much.
I really do not seeing this going past a couple of rounds.
Hrgovic is too upright, loose with defence and slow. Tough but that won't really help, this time.
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Re: Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic | DAZN - 29 August 2026
standing stoppage? or will Moses drop him?NazNaci1 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2026, 09:14Moses will be too fast, dipping, coils up and then firing fast shots.SeanBrennan wrote: ↑05 Jul 2026, 15:18 I don’t think there is any risk here for Moses it’s another early stoppage for him against an older fighter who cuts easily and who won’t move much.
I really do not seeing this go past a couple of rounds.
Hrgovic is too upright, loose with defence and slow. Tough but that won't really help, this time.